Some runs are fun to collect because it’s satisfying to look at all the covers in sequential order. I have the original 24 issues swamp thing run for this.
Another great video, I've collected over 40,000 raw comics and have slabbed a few hundred. The slabs are wall hangers, and I've also sold over half of them for a nice profit.. Happy Holidays!
Well articulated list. I appreciate your take on flipping books, collecting within ones means, and collecting to read. All on point. Thanks for sharing!
Greetings from Sarasota Florida! 🐊🌞As usual I mostly agree with you but within months of buying my first comics as a nine-year old (ASM 163 was in there) I discovered a comic shop and became fascinated (don’t say obsessed 😂) with the idea of collecting every issue of Marvel Team-Up. Run completion is an integral part of collecting for me, so I will continue to resist the “only the keys” mentality which I think is detrimental to our hobby, making the rich richer and the “filler” holders poorer, and if that makes me a completionist crazy 🤪 so be it
Good advice. When I started, i bought a lot of variant covers partly because I loved the art and partly because it was worth more and I could resell it for potentially more money in the future. I was totally wrong and its harder to resell a variant most of the time and the price decreases more often than not. Now I usually buy the 1st print and I can buy an original art piece from the artist for around the cost of a slabbed 1:100 ratio variant at a con.
I am one of those completionists, and I buy far too many comic books to actually read all of them. For example, I have every issue of volume 1 of Alpha Flight, Excalibur, New Mutants, X-Factor, X-Force, X-Men (90s), and once I get my hands on Uncanny X-Men 101, I'll have all of them from 95 on (plus all subsequent volumes). I only recently became interested in buying keys, and even that started as part of trying to complete runs. The only time I don't go for a complete run is when I can't afford it or if I'm just getting a key to complete some other kind of set. Like, I'm working on first appearances for all of the characters in the Marvel Netflix shows right now. Anyway, this may sound silly to some, but completing runs is THE thing that keeps me interested in collecting. I love to look at my list and see that I have issues 1-129 instead of issues 5, 12, 15, 29, 83, and 105.
I lived through the sports trading card boom and bust of the early 1990's. One day I had all these cards that I'd paid a bunch of money to get with the idea they would be worth even more money in the future. Literally over night I was left with a bunch of worthless cardboard nicely arranged in plastic sleeves and hard cases. When I saw the CGC comics slabs I just laughed and said "nope!" Been there done that and already got screwed. The two things right now that are hurting comic book collectors who want to sell their comics for a profit, or even just to break even, are omnibuses and the economy. It's a buyers' market and buyer's don't feel like buying anything the way the economy is . And I hate to say it, but I don't see that getting any better over the next 4 years, at least.
That was a tasty showing of Ice Cream Man, a title I’ve managed to sock away a fair number of despite not being a huge horror guy. I’ve always appreciated the breadth in your books Goose.
Good one Sticky. The cgc one is such a good point. I think soooooo many people feel obligated to do it and it’s not worth it for me. I have been buying cgc books that people are dumping for the same price or less than raw copies and cracking them out to raw for my pc.
Growing up during the Silver Age, I had the time of my life collecting! At that time, I never thought of comics as investment commodities! Sold off my comics years ago before they deteriorated! Now I own my favourite Silver Age titles in Omnibus form! I will never part with them! Pure eye candy!
Crazy Completionist...have you been looking through my comics? Slabs are great, put a paper towel over them and abra-kadabra you have perfect sandwich tray!
Lots of great points! I find I am leaning towards collecting books that are my nostalgic favorites from childhood (like Avengers vs Defenders, the Last Superman Story, etc.). I am not a very good LCS supporter. I rarely go there, because I am not liking the new stuff at all! I would much rather buy books I have read several times in my life, and then buy them again. Doesn't really matter in the long run.. I will wind up not having any when I'm dead. You are right on the age comment. I am older than the ages you mentioned; but I have started buying graded comics though, so that way, if my kids refuse me let me be buried with my Strange Tales #89, then maybe they will be able to make a little bit of money off the books. If not, who cares? I'll be dead LOL!
I've been collecting again for about 2 years. Started with the comic pacs traded everything I didn't want out of those when I shifted to books from the 80's down. Now I've settled into new comics book day books that I actually want to read. Following about 20 titles now, and it's the most satisfied I've been so far. Great stories most at the beginning, and no worries about condition if any books pop later that I can part with.
CGC grading is good if you buying off line you know exactly what you’re getting, people lie when it comes to buying books raw online. They say it’s NM but it really VF..
The overwhelming emphasis on "keys" makes completing runs super expensive. A true collector would not be bouncing from key to key. Despite what you think you are saying- you are mostly advocating "investment". If you are saying not to be influenced by others then why do you all have the same comics(keys)?
Goose, I really appreciate you. This was a candid and honest conversation with people who need to hear this. I’ve been collecting for over ten adult years and have done exactly as you explained. In the past few years it’s been sad to see the fever of slabs and variants of books I don’t care about become “must haves”. Collecting should be entirely up to the collector’s interest, not influencers. And read the books! That is the whole point of the books! I’ve never understood why people don’t read them or stare at just the covers. I have all raw books with no intention of giving them to CGC or locking them away. Life is too short for that.
The other day I got kicked out of a buy/sell/trade group for laughing at a cgc 9.0 X-Force 1 that someone was trying to sell. LoL Who would ever buy that, and who would ever pay to have that graded/slabbed??? Morons out there
My sets are maybe 43 in a series which are bronze age horror. Be an opportunistic collector if you find a deal and can use it to trade up or sell for profit. Great advice Dr. Sticky Goose. I enjoy your content. Merry Christmas
I agree. I have a few graded comics, and I find myself rebuying that same comic loose just so I can read them. Also, the price I put on my favorite comics is different than what the current market says it is. This is good advice. Thanks for posting.
Everything you sed is correct. I've never bought a slab. I've won some, and I've cracked some... And I've watched slab scams one after another. Who wants a hobby rife w/constant anxiety over a tenth of a number?! Get those early Marvel Masterworks for pretty cheap, and if ya wanna check out runs get those Marvel Essentials. They're black and white, but a Sunday afternoon w/a 64 box of Crayolas will make it an interactive experience. Th chicks dig it th most.
I am somewhat of a completionist lol. But, I read every comic I buy. I don’t buy issues just to stick them in a box. With that said, I don’t try to complete sets of everything. Just runs I enjoy. I will pick up a key issue here and there just to read it and see what all the fuss is about. If I liked it, I may try other books in the run. If I wasn’t blown away by it, I put it the box and move on. Graded books are fine and look cool displayed but I never submit books to be graded. I have received some as gifts, which I appreciate, but I also enjoy reading books I get. If you’re a flipper or investor, I can understand the grading though.
Also, don't succumb to "fear of missing out". Just because it's in front of you and you want it, doesn't mean it's a good purchase. Id rather look at many different copies of a book in many different places to get the one that fits my needs better than the one that's in front of me right now. Trust me, it's a hard habit to break and I'm still in the thick of this lesson.
If you are into reading just go by what everyone is talking about. Some collectors do it just for the cover art and variants. It really just what excites you more.
Yooooo I agree with the buying the run! But I do hav the whole ASM run and I love it !! I hav it all broking down into boxes and I bust it out to check it out! But if your not really into the character there’s really no point to invest in a 400 issue run if you really don’t enjoy it
I’m in the 40+ category. I collect covers and keys of books I like. Modern, bronze and copper. I can’t read the new stuff it’s garbage for the most part. Read bronze and copper via graphic novels or e-reader. In short Goose is right, you do you, collect what you like, not for spec. If you want to make fast money trade the stock market instead
Every bull market, there will be comic books that rise in price. Every cycle, horror books get insane price surges. Last cycle, it was Haha and Ice Cream Man. Some SiKtC variant covers that were not early issues. Now no one cares. This time, it's Monsters Mark Spears. Although I think Monsters has some legs because it's classic 80s horror. And then the MCU will pump the rest. History rhymes. I couldn't agree more. Great advice. Collect what you love (by reading it). Characters, stories, and beautiful art you love - that's everlasting.
every time someone says to me "ohh I also collect comic books" but they don't read them I don't consider them comic book fans nor collectors. If you don't read them and expect to be a billionaire good luck with that.
You say don’t let people influence you or tell you what to do. But yet here you are telling people don’t send there books in to get graded!!!!!! Like you said form your own opinions.and if there opinion is I want to grade my books then they should
7k books later... I love runs for books that are "affordable" Crazy Completionism... Silver age books (spider-man/FF/Avengers/et al) I have the omnibus...
Some runs are fun to collect because it’s satisfying to look at all the covers in sequential order. I have the original 24 issues swamp thing run for this.
Another great video, I've collected over 40,000 raw comics and have slabbed a few hundred. The slabs are wall hangers, and I've also sold over half of them for a nice profit.. Happy Holidays!
You have really helped me to stay away from getting into slabs. Thank you
Collect what is truly scarce and always in demand. You will be thankful when you sell the collection. Pre code comics are always in demand.
I only grade my comics to use as a tray for my TV dinners
Bahahaha
I started collecting earlier this year and learned all these lessons the hard way. I think you are 100% accurate on all the recommendations.
I’ve enjoyed a lot of your vids man! Merry Christmas.
Great advice on grading at the end... if im flipping for a profit its raw 9 times out of ten... graded books stay in my PC. Merry 🎄 Sticky
I think you missed the greatest point when starting. And that is knowing your end game.
This is a refreshing take compared to all the flippers out there who don’t read comics anymore.
Well articulated list. I appreciate your take on flipping books, collecting within ones means, and collecting to read. All on point. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been collection 40 years I’ve never sold a book
Greetings from Sarasota Florida! 🐊🌞As usual I mostly agree with you but within months of buying my first comics as a nine-year old (ASM 163 was in there) I discovered a comic shop and became fascinated (don’t say obsessed 😂) with the idea of collecting every issue of Marvel Team-Up. Run completion is an integral part of collecting for me, so I will continue to resist the “only the keys” mentality which I think is detrimental to our hobby, making the rich richer and the “filler” holders poorer, and if that makes me a completionist crazy 🤪 so be it
Good advice. When I started, i bought a lot of variant covers partly because I loved the art and partly because it was worth more and I could resell it for potentially more money in the future. I was totally wrong and its harder to resell a variant most of the time and the price decreases more often than not. Now I usually buy the 1st print and I can buy an original art piece from the artist for around the cost of a slabbed 1:100 ratio variant at a con.
I am one of those completionists, and I buy far too many comic books to actually read all of them. For example, I have every issue of volume 1 of Alpha Flight, Excalibur, New Mutants, X-Factor, X-Force, X-Men (90s), and once I get my hands on Uncanny X-Men 101, I'll have all of them from 95 on (plus all subsequent volumes). I only recently became interested in buying keys, and even that started as part of trying to complete runs. The only time I don't go for a complete run is when I can't afford it or if I'm just getting a key to complete some other kind of set. Like, I'm working on first appearances for all of the characters in the Marvel Netflix shows right now. Anyway, this may sound silly to some, but completing runs is THE thing that keeps me interested in collecting. I love to look at my list and see that I have issues 1-129 instead of issues 5, 12, 15, 29, 83, and 105.
I lived through the sports trading card boom and bust of the early 1990's. One day I had all these cards that I'd paid a bunch of money to get with the idea they would be worth even more money in the future. Literally over night I was left with a bunch of worthless cardboard nicely arranged in plastic sleeves and hard cases. When I saw the CGC comics slabs I just laughed and said "nope!" Been there done that and already got screwed.
The two things right now that are hurting comic book collectors who want to sell their comics for a profit, or even just to break even, are omnibuses and the economy. It's a buyers' market and buyer's don't feel like buying anything the way the economy is . And I hate to say it, but I don't see that getting any better over the next 4 years, at least.
That was a tasty showing of Ice Cream Man, a title I’ve managed to sock away a fair number of despite not being a huge horror guy. I’ve always appreciated the breadth in your books Goose.
Good one Sticky. The cgc one is such a good point. I think soooooo many people feel obligated to do it and it’s not worth it for me.
I have been buying cgc books that people are dumping for the same price or less than raw copies and cracking them out to raw for my pc.
Growing up during the Silver Age, I had the time of my life collecting! At that time, I never thought of comics as investment commodities! Sold off my comics years ago before they deteriorated!
Now I own my favourite Silver Age titles in Omnibus form! I will never part with them! Pure eye candy!
Crazy Completionist...have you been looking through my comics? Slabs are great, put a paper towel over them and abra-kadabra you have perfect sandwich tray!
need my sunglasses for the HDR video. omg haha
Lots of great points! I find I am leaning towards collecting books that are my nostalgic favorites from childhood (like Avengers vs Defenders, the Last Superman Story, etc.). I am not a very good LCS supporter. I rarely go there, because I am not liking the new stuff at all! I would much rather buy books I have read several times in my life, and then buy them again. Doesn't really matter in the long run.. I will wind up not having any when I'm dead. You are right on the age comment. I am older than the ages you mentioned; but I have started buying graded comics though, so that way, if my kids refuse me let me be buried with my Strange Tales #89, then maybe they will be able to make a little bit of money off the books. If not, who cares? I'll be dead LOL!
I've been collecting again for about 2 years. Started with the comic pacs traded everything I didn't want out of those when I shifted to books from the 80's down. Now I've settled into new comics book day books that I actually want to read. Following about 20 titles now, and it's the most satisfied I've been so far. Great stories most at the beginning, and no worries about condition if any books pop later that I can part with.
CGC grading is good if you buying off line you know exactly what you’re getting, people lie when it comes to buying books raw online. They say it’s NM but it really VF..
The overwhelming emphasis on "keys" makes completing runs super expensive. A true collector would not be bouncing from key to key. Despite what you think you are saying- you are mostly advocating "investment". If you are saying not to be influenced by others then why do you all have the same comics(keys)?
Goose, I really appreciate you. This was a candid and honest conversation with people who need to hear this. I’ve been collecting for over ten adult years and have done exactly as you explained. In the past few years it’s been sad to see the fever of slabs and variants of books I don’t care about become “must haves”. Collecting should be entirely up to the collector’s interest, not influencers. And read the books! That is the whole point of the books! I’ve never understood why people don’t read them or stare at just the covers. I have all raw books with no intention of giving them to CGC or locking them away. Life is too short for that.
Humans are heavily influenced by others. ComicTom does a good job getting others excited about books. Personality walk, Personality talk, Personality.
That god-damn hack is endemic of every single problem plauging this hobby at the moment. Him and his ilk.
If it's a collectable reader, I like using the CSP magnetic holder with a mylar bag. Almost at sealed, but able to be rotated and far far cheaper.
The other day I got kicked out of a buy/sell/trade group for laughing at a cgc 9.0 X-Force 1 that someone was trying to sell. LoL Who would ever buy that, and who would ever pay to have that graded/slabbed??? Morons out there
My sets are maybe 43 in a series which are bronze age horror. Be an opportunistic collector if you find a deal and can use it to trade up or sell for profit. Great advice Dr. Sticky Goose. I enjoy your content. Merry Christmas
Knowing is half the battle.
I agree. I have a few graded comics, and I find myself rebuying that same comic loose just so I can read them. Also, the price I put on my favorite comics is different than what the current market says it is. This is good advice. Thanks for posting.
Everything you sed is correct. I've never bought a slab. I've won some, and I've cracked some... And I've watched slab scams one after another. Who wants a hobby rife w/constant anxiety over a tenth of a number?! Get those early Marvel Masterworks for pretty cheap, and if ya wanna check out runs get those Marvel Essentials. They're black and white, but a Sunday afternoon w/a 64 box of Crayolas will make it an interactive experience. Th chicks dig it th most.
Yes.. I collect mostly by artist…John Byrne, Alan Davis, Ivan Reis, etc. never bought into the huckster TH-cam influencer carnival barkers…
Same for Funko Pops.
They can get heavy and take a lot of space.
Solid takes to this.
I am somewhat of a completionist lol. But, I read every comic I buy. I don’t buy issues just to stick them in a box. With that said, I don’t try to complete sets of everything. Just runs I enjoy. I will pick up a key issue here and there just to read it and see what all the fuss is about. If I liked it, I may try other books in the run. If I wasn’t blown away by it, I put it the box and move on. Graded books are fine and look cool displayed but I never submit books to be graded. I have received some as gifts, which I appreciate, but I also enjoy reading books I get. If you’re a flipper or investor, I can understand the grading though.
Also, don't succumb to "fear of missing out". Just because it's in front of you and you want it, doesn't mean it's a good purchase. Id rather look at many different copies of a book in many different places to get the one that fits my needs better than the one that's in front of me right now. Trust me, it's a hard habit to break and I'm still in the thick of this lesson.
If you are into reading just go by what everyone is talking about. Some collectors do it just for the cover art and variants. It really just what excites you more.
Yooooo I agree with the buying the run! But I do hav the whole ASM run and I love it !! I hav it all broking down into boxes and I bust it out to check it out! But if your not really into the character there’s really no point to invest in a 400 issue run if you really don’t enjoy it
I’m in the 40+ category. I collect covers and keys of books I like. Modern, bronze and copper. I can’t read the new stuff it’s garbage for the most part. Read bronze and copper via graphic novels or e-reader. In short Goose is right, you do you, collect what you like, not for spec. If you want to make fast money trade the stock market instead
Every bull market, there will be comic books that rise in price. Every cycle, horror books get insane price surges. Last cycle, it was Haha and Ice Cream Man. Some SiKtC variant covers that were not early issues. Now no one cares. This time, it's Monsters Mark Spears. Although I think Monsters has some legs because it's classic 80s horror. And then the MCU will pump the rest. History rhymes. I couldn't agree more. Great advice. Collect what you love (by reading it). Characters, stories, and beautiful art you love - that's everlasting.
every time someone says to me "ohh I also collect comic books" but they don't read them I don't consider them comic book fans nor collectors. If you don't read them and expect to be a billionaire good luck with that.
Great video man!
You say don’t let people influence you or tell you what to do. But yet here you are telling people don’t send there books in to get graded!!!!!! Like you said form your own opinions.and if there opinion is I want to grade my books then they should
Took the words right out of my mouth.
Sticky for Prez 2028
I recommend new collectors buy the good story arcs instead of runs. Every decent long running book has average, great and complete shit story arcs.
100% accurate. Stickygoose gets an honorary Comic Book Collector's Master's Degree with this one. Bravo video!
CGC is a scam. Stop slabbing and ruining the hobby.
Cue ball
7k books later... I love runs for books that are "affordable"
Crazy Completionism...
Silver age books (spider-man/FF/Avengers/et al) I have the omnibus...